How to set up STB HD Box to DVD Recorder to HD TV to record TV Programs?
relaxef
Newbie

Hi,

      I have a STB HD Box, a DVD that records, and a HD TV.  How would I connect the wiring to get my DVD Recorder to record TV programs?  Please be specific.

      Any and all help would be appreciated.

Thanks,

relaxed

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Re: How to set up STB HD Box to DVD Recorder to HD TV to record TV Programs?
ekem015
Specialist - Level 1

Well, let's start off with what you probably already have: a coax connection from the wall to the STB. Plus, some sort of connection from the STB to the TV - probably HDMI. Both of those will stay.

Next, you need a connection from the STB to the DVD recorder. I personally just use RCA (composite) cables, because DVD's are SD (not HD), so there's really no true benefit in using component cables, unless you're getting some digital protection error message. Therefore, just use RCA (red-white-yellow) from the STB output to the DVD recorder input.

Finally, you need something from the STB to the TV. I would just use RCA cables again. Connect those from the DVD output to the TV input.

With this setup, you will need to set your DVD recorder to its "input" channel or something like that. Tuning it to a specific channel (3, 17, 27, etc.) won't work, because you're not connected via coax, and even if it were the DVD recorder couldn't tune to a station for you because FiOS is all-digital. Even in the rare event that your DVD recorder had a QAM tuner, it would only be able to tune to encrypted/local channels, 1-49, 460-549 on FiOS. That is why we need to just take the video output from the STB, which will be doing the tuning for us.

The problem with that is you will need to have the STB turned to whatever channel you want to record when you're recording it. The DVD recorder (once you set it to the "input" channel and press record) is going to record whatever would be showing on your screen (it doesn't matter if your TV is on or off). That means, again, you will need to have the STB on (and turned on) to whatever channel you want to record, while also keeping in mind the DVD will record any of your STB menu/info bars.

You will also want to turn your TV to "input" or whichever connection you used (i.e. Composite1) in order to watch whatever's on the DVD recorder.

With this setup (depending on the DVD recorder; it works for me), you will be able to record HD channels from your STB. However, since DVD's are SD and 4:3, the HD will record in SD quality in a letterboxed 4:3, kind of what Fox News recently did with its SD channel. Like I said above, you may get some sort of "digital HDCP protection" type of message on your DVD player if you're not using component cables, but that (at least for me) goes away after a few seconds.

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Re: How to set up STB HD Box to DVD Recorder to HD TV to record TV Programs?
ekem015
Specialist - Level 1

Well, let's start off with what you probably already have: a coax connection from the wall to the STB. Plus, some sort of connection from the STB to the TV - probably HDMI. Both of those will stay.

Next, you need a connection from the STB to the DVD recorder. I personally just use RCA (composite) cables, because DVD's are SD (not HD), so there's really no true benefit in using component cables, unless you're getting some digital protection error message. Therefore, just use RCA (red-white-yellow) from the STB output to the DVD recorder input.

Finally, you need something from the STB to the TV. I would just use RCA cables again. Connect those from the DVD output to the TV input.

With this setup, you will need to set your DVD recorder to its "input" channel or something like that. Tuning it to a specific channel (3, 17, 27, etc.) won't work, because you're not connected via coax, and even if it were the DVD recorder couldn't tune to a station for you because FiOS is all-digital. Even in the rare event that your DVD recorder had a QAM tuner, it would only be able to tune to encrypted/local channels, 1-49, 460-549 on FiOS. That is why we need to just take the video output from the STB, which will be doing the tuning for us.

The problem with that is you will need to have the STB turned to whatever channel you want to record when you're recording it. The DVD recorder (once you set it to the "input" channel and press record) is going to record whatever would be showing on your screen (it doesn't matter if your TV is on or off). That means, again, you will need to have the STB on (and turned on) to whatever channel you want to record, while also keeping in mind the DVD will record any of your STB menu/info bars.

You will also want to turn your TV to "input" or whichever connection you used (i.e. Composite1) in order to watch whatever's on the DVD recorder.

With this setup (depending on the DVD recorder; it works for me), you will be able to record HD channels from your STB. However, since DVD's are SD and 4:3, the HD will record in SD quality in a letterboxed 4:3, kind of what Fox News recently did with its SD channel. Like I said above, you may get some sort of "digital HDCP protection" type of message on your DVD player if you're not using component cables, but that (at least for me) goes away after a few seconds.

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Re: How to set up STB HD Box to DVD Recorder to HD TV to record TV Programs?
relaxef
Newbie
ekem015, It is the PERFECT Solution!!! Thank You very much!!! Yes, there is still a Santa Claus!!! It works like a CHAMP!!! Thanks again, relaxed
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Re: How to set up STB HD Box to DVD Recorder to HD TV to record TV Programs?
jjcantlin
Newbie

I just purchased a VCR/DVD recorder. The model is Magnavox ZV427MG9. I would like to know how to connect the cables. I originally had a different recorder and it died. I currently have 3 RCA cables. I assume they will go from the output side of the recorder to the TV. On the input side I had one coax cable going from a cable splitter on the box to the old unit (it had a coax connection) The new unit does not have a coax connection. Should I get another cable to replace this? There is an S Video connection on the input side of the recorder. Should I get a cable with one end coax and the other end as an S cable? How can I connect the FIOS box to the recorder?

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